Where books and writing collide!

Menu

Tag Archives: book promotion

Two years ago we did the whole Blind Date with a Book Contest. Last year we missed out because I was in Russia, and this year, I’ll be going to TCEA for the first time, so I wouldn’t be there right before Valentine’s Day. Instead I decided to do a spin on that called Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover. It is basically the same thing because I wrapped up all the books and then put them out with only 2-3 word hints at the book. Students check out a book and then do a short book review if they wanted to be entered into a drawing for a gift card.

So far I’ve wrapped enough books to fill a book truck front and back (so four long) twice. I still don’t even think I’ll have enough books to finish out this week because I told those that were interested they could have a second book this week. I might regret that decision, but the kids are excited, and even a few teachers are checking out books.

The funniest part was that I wouldn’t let them check them out for a whole day while I started putting the display out. They were literally begging to check them out when the official contest began. Love seeing such excitement about books.

PS…some really do have horrible covers, and we are rating the cover as a part of the book review they submit, so actually I guess we are judging a book after all!

Last week was one of my favorite weeks because we did Speedbooking. It is really the only time of the year that I do a stand alone library activity. That said, it directly connects to literacy appreciation, and students all leave excited about books, so I don’t feel like it is wasted time. This is the time of year when my 8th graders get bored with reading. Time to light a little fire under them.

Basically, the students rotate between seven different stations where they “meet” a book a different way at each table.

Audiobook

Lone Star Reading List

Author Website

Book Format

Choose Your Own Adventure Books

Digital Book Talk

Read A Like Lists

As a side note, I pull enough books for every class (whew) so that kids can check out books that period if they want to rather than waiting until the day is over. Circulation is always much higher after this activity. The big winner of the week though was the choose your own adventure books. I think part of it was they loved hearing the “old folks” talk about how cool they were and how to fix things when you accidentally chose the wrong ending. AKA made a choice that got you killed.

I realized the other day that the link I posted won’t work on iDevices because of the flash component in SpicyNodes. Here is the same content in text/link format.

When I first started in the library several years ago the digital book trailer was the way to promote books. While I still see the value in book trailers (still post several a month), I also think it is essential for us to also look at other platforms for book promotion. Here are just a few.

Thinglink

Create a poster you can “touch” with things like website links, videos, social media, and text.

Display books in the library with a QR code that links to information about the book, book reviews, series information, links to a movie, or facts about the author.
Tips on QR codes (the QR code tab): https://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=500988

Student Videos

Have students create short videos promoting a book they like. Can be short clips just showing them and the cover or an actual interview about why they liked the books. Be sure to choose a variety of students.

Book blogs are still popular with students. They enjoy knowing what you are reading and how you think. Share frequently electronically and also post by book displays for students without Internet access.

Prezi Scavenger Hunts

Use Prezi and create short guess the book prezis, author information, or series challenges.

Record a short excerpt of the book with an introduction to why students would enjoy the book. Can have guest readers for a surprise students. Only need a program like Audacity, a computer, and a microphone.

Nonfiction book with information about that Dewey category in a QR code

Nonfiction book with facts from the book in QR code

Book display with QR code book review

QR code link in back of book that links to series website so students know what book is next in the series. If there is not a good series website consider using Wikipedia.

Biography book with link to other resources on that individual

Nonfiction book with key words for searching that topic in a database

Display of books that have a theme in common. Scan QR code to see if they identified the correct theme

Link to Twitter/Pinterest feed of authors

Put a bookmark inside a book with a QR code discussing a quote on that page (why it was chosen)

Book display comparing the book to the movie

Display with books that you also have digital copies of in the library (link to the eBook)

Baby picture of teachers with a link to a current picture holding their favorite book

Book display about popular reading lists highlighting the specifics of each list as well as a few examples

Short description of the Dewey category and what kind of books are found in that section

QR codes for popular series or topics with description of how to find those resources in the library

Student created bookmarks with the cover, a short review, and QR code link to online content such as reviews, trailer, author website, etc.

Book display about the parts of a book. Use QR codes to discuss the different parts

If Books Could Talk Display using different books and matching them to theme in the book. For example: The Uglies book might say: “Who defines beautiful? What if they are wrong?”

Library Promotions

QR code link to library website in PTA newsletter

Links to library policies

Link to databases

Information about clubs

Information about IDs

Book fair information

Currently reading sign (post picture of book with QR code link to review)

Link to library survey in Google Docs

Links to information about special library events

Links to pictures from a previous event

QR code for library newsletter

Make QR code mouse pads that link to Destiny

Bookmark with important library links

QR codes to reading list or reading program resources on a flyer or bookmark

Link for Wi-Fi information

QR code to Twitter feed

Lesson Ideas

Use QR codes that reveal the correct answer on a worksheet. For example: students scan A and the QR code says “Please try again” and when they scan C it says “Correct”. This is great for discussing WHY an answer is wrong if it is common mistake.

Use QR codes to link to original creations like short poems, paragraphs, biographical information

Stations for getting to know a book through different formats (ex: Goodreads, author website, book trailer, podcast, etc.)

Scavenger Hunt-can either use QR codes for the question, the answers, or both

Stations-QR code can link to content, directions, or etc.

Link to directions about an activity or remediation resources

QR codes that give research tips

QR codes posted in library that reveal passwords for databases or library catalog

Links to tutorial resources on the most commonly used Web 2.0 tools (can store on a website or in Dropbox)

High School students could create digital portfolios/resumes

Use QR codes for directions instead of a worksheet

Voting for any topic using a site like poll anywhere or a Google Form

Share student created videos via QR code

Student book reviews

Matching activities. Students match the item and then scan a QR code to get the answer

Link to library resource of the day. Have the link pull from a website or wiki so you don’t have to change the QR code, just add the new content. Could highlight a vocabulary word or skill as indicated by benchmark scores

Link to exemplars of student projects so expectations are clear

Link to rubrics

Teen Tech Week outdoor scavenger hunt before school

Students write original story and link to the picture that inspired the story

Link to wiki or website created by student that reflects learning on a research project. Post around school.

QR code links to a word or topic that students then look up in a dictionary or encyclopedia

Students scan a QR code for a book description or cover and then locate that book in the library. Scan a second QR code when they reach that location to see if they are correct.